Intermittent disconnect/reconnect

Hi, I've been using my router, a SMC2804WBR for about 4-5 years now. It hasn't given me any problems until recently when my connection (wired) would go off for a second, then reconnect again. In this case, both activity and connection lights (orange and green) from my Ethernet card and the router would go off, then on again as it reconnects.

It does not disconnect me from my online games or msn etc, it just gives me a load of packet losses, which is irritating.

Ahh weekend!! finally have time to buy a new cable. Ok, and... same problem. This time I bought a really long one so it can now reach my modem and voila! When i used a direct connection to the modem, the problem disappears...for now... i'll have to wait and see...

Looks like after 5-6 years, my router has finally reached the end of its lifetime.